[0:12] You have to go back.

[0:20] » We're doing >> Yeah, we're

[0:47] This one's eating all the time.

[1:03] 9:00 in the morning.

[1:31] Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our September County

[1:36] Commissioners meeting. It's uh a little different time than what we normally do.

[1:41] It is at the first of the month, but since uh the first Monday is the on the

[1:47] 7th, the last day possible for it to be the first Monday, um we set up to meet

[1:53] on the first Tuesday of September. Glad you're here tonight for conducting the

[1:59] business for the county. I see several of our law enforcement officers here and

[2:04] others that are with us tonight. various agenda items and we'll get to those as

[2:09] as we work through our agenda. So with that, we welcome you all here again

[2:14] tonight. U Chaplain Bill Hatfield is here for our invocation and we'll have

[2:20] our pledge of allegiance.

[2:32] Lord God, I want to thank you so much for who you are and again as always for

[2:35] the freedoms that you've given us be able to gather here to seek your face to

[2:40] cry out to you, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Oh God, we need your

[2:44] wisdom. As we look around, do we need to make the right decisions for the people

[2:51] for the citizens of Randolph County? Lord, I just want to thank you again and

[2:55] for the honor and the privilege of being here tonight to be able to lead in

[2:59] prayer, to seek your face. I pray for each person here that you would just

[3:06] touch them and just continue to to move on their lives. I pray the decisions

[3:10] here tonight would be in order for what you would want. Lord, you know, as

[3:16] voting may be going on, recognitions may be going on, uh, everything that's going

[3:22] to happen in this meeting, I ask that you would guide it. Thank you, Lord.

[3:26] Again, give these fine people the wisdom they need, the boldness they need, the

[3:32] compassion they need, the listening ear they may need as they listen to the

[3:36] citizens. Uh, you know the needs of our county. You know the financial needs. Uh

[3:42] Lord, I just lift each of these up to you God and I give you the praise and

[3:45] Lord, I give you the glory. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

[3:50] » Amen. >> I

[3:54] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it

[4:00] stands one nation indivisibley

[4:07] for all. >> Thank you.

[4:15] Okay, we have um one special recognition item on our agenda tonight and I'm going

[4:21] to call on uh our director of social services, Tracy Murphy, who will do the

[4:28] honors.

[4:33] Good evening, everyone. Miss Davis, would you please join me up

[4:38] here in front of all of these fine people? While she's coming, I'm going to

[4:42] read uh some of the accomplishments of Miss Davis over the years.

[4:50] Don't be shy now.

[4:54] » Miss Davis retires from Department of Social Services on July 31st, 2026.

[5:00] She started her career with us in September of 1995.

[5:05] and she ended up as a universal intake supervisor. There are many of her

[5:10] colleagues here tonight whom she has encouraged and lifted up along the way

[5:15] to celebrate her in her retirement. She became a great asset for our agency. She

[5:21] has always held herself and those around her to very high expectations, pushing

[5:26] them to rise to the fullest potential. She is a dedicated worker. Her impact

[5:32] will be felt for years to come. Her family consists of her husband Brian,

[5:37] daughter Nicole, son-in-law John, granddaughter Calie, and her hobbies

[5:42] include spending time with family, especially that grandbaby whom we hear

[5:46] so much about, playing with her dogs, and doing projects around the house.

[5:52] Her greatest joy has been seeing those she has supervised grow and move up

[5:56] within the agency. She hopes her leadership has impacted them and

[6:01] encouraged their growth and they are here this evening with us to celebrate

[6:06] her. We appreciate um Miss Davis and congratulations on a very welldeserved

[6:13] retirement.

[6:16] [applause]

[6:25] [applause]

[6:30] here.

[6:38] Maybe we want to recognize you on your retirement, but to say a special word of

[6:43] thanks and gratitude to you. And I for all of you folks here and all of you

[6:47] that work in the various departments in the county,

[6:52] this this is hard to replace. and those she's been here 31 years has

[6:58] made a tremendous difference in the delivery of services in this county

[7:04] helping these other folks that have followed you to be prepared to do their

[7:08] jobs and we just so grateful to you and wish you all the very best take care of

[7:14] that little grandbaby and maybe come back and visit every once in a while.

[7:19] God bless you. This is in grateful rec appreciation to Libby Davis in

[7:25] recognition of 31 years of service September the 1st, 2026

[7:31] by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners. God bless you.

[7:35] [applause]

[7:40] [applause]

[7:51] All right. Before we go to our public comment period, we want to approve our

[7:56] agendas for tonight. And uh I'll remind the board we're adding one item to the

[8:02] consent agenda. That will be item R. This is a budget amendment which

[8:07] recognizes previous decisions following a public hearing by our board. This is

[8:13] the book the uh budget amendment for the incentives for the environmental air

[8:19] system project that has moved into our county.

[8:24] So we will add that to the consent agenda. Any other changes to the consent

[8:29] agenda? Do I have a motion to approve the

[8:32] agendas as presented? >> So move.

[8:35] » Have a second. >> Second.

[8:38] » Those in favor let it be known by saying I.

[8:41] » I oppose. No, the agendas are approved. So, at this time, we have our public

[8:48] comment period. And I would just add um on our new business item tonight, we

[8:55] have a public hearing for another economic development project for

[8:59] Asavant. So, it will have its own public hearing.

[9:03] If anybody anybody's here tonight to speak to that issue, we'll have it will

[9:08] have its own public hearing when we get to that item on the agenda. So, with

[9:12] that having been said, madame clerk,

[9:17] who do we have? Mr. Chairman, I'll read the rules of procedure for the public

[9:21] comment period. The rules of procedure are as follows. The public comment

[9:24] period will be limited to 15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting. If more

[9:29] time is required, it will be at the discretion of the board. Each speaker

[9:33] must give his or her name both orally and in writing before speaking. Speakers

[9:39] will be limited to three minutes. Comments are to be directed to the board

[9:42] as a whole and not to one individual commissioner. Response, discussion, or

[9:48] action concerning issues raised during the public input session will be at the

[9:53] discretion of the board. Speakers will be courteous in their language and

[9:58] presentation. Speaker should not discuss matters which concern the candidacy of

[10:03] any person seeking public office or matters in current or anticipated

[10:08] litigation.

[10:11] Michael Moss.

[10:25] Good evening, commissioners. Uh first off, my name is Michael Moss. Uh I own

[10:29] Windy Hill Farms in Ramsur and I've got some exciting news to share with you

[10:34] just a little bit later. But first, I want to thank you for the service that

[10:39] you provide to Randolph County and uh the decisions that you make and the

[10:44] leadership and guidance that you provide this county um and into the future and

[10:49] the things that we need to be doing. I know your jobs aren't easy all the time

[10:52] and I've been sitting out here sometimes when I've seen it that way. But so thank

[10:56] you for that. Uh back in February, announcement came out that a longheld

[11:04] tradition around Randolph County, the Liberty Antiques Festival was going to

[11:08] be sold. There were a number of biders for that

[11:12] particular um festival. It's been a longstanding one within Randolph County

[11:18] for 35 years. Many of you know Veto and his family have curated a great show

[11:24] there. There were out ofstate uh biders for it.

[11:28] It looked like the show was going to leave. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to

[11:32] let you know that me and my family have purchased the Liberty Antiques Festival.

[11:37] My son's here with me in the back. Uh and we're going to curate it for another

[11:42] 35 years. All right. and we're looking forward to the support that we will get

[11:48] from this esteemed body from my own commissioner David. I'm sure he'll be

[11:53] right there with me by my by my side. But um it's a great honor for us to be

[11:58] able to hold it here. It's got a significant economic impact I believe on

[12:02] this county. We'll be working with Amber and others within the group to try to

[12:06] understand what that true impact is. But this a festival for all of Randolph

[12:10] County and it's here to stay. So, I welcome each of you to come out. Uh,

[12:15] September 25th and 26th will be our first show at our farm, Windy Hill

[12:20] Farms. We've got a lot of work to do to get it there and get it to where it

[12:24] wants to go. Uh, but we've had such good support from many of the departments in

[12:29] the local government here in Randolph County, whether it be environmental

[12:32] health, whether it be in permitting offices, whether it be with our

[12:36] sheriff's department, the our EMS, everybody's worked really well with us

[12:40] and I just want to thank you for the leadership that you've given those

[12:43] different departments because they're outstanding. So, thank you. Welcome all

[12:47] of you to 10. >> Yes.

[12:49] » And all of you, >> you're here.

[12:51] » Thank you. >> Thanks, sir. Uh we might put you on an

[12:54] inviting speaker list sometime today. >> Okay, that'd be great. [laughter] Glad

[12:58] to do that. Whatever. >> We're not It's great and sincerely and

[13:03] seriously appreciate your comments and it's good to keep it here in the county

[13:08] and to keep it going. >> Absolutely.

[13:10] » My wife will be there. >> My wife frequents it.

[13:12] » Awesome. See you.

[13:18] Susie Scott.

[13:29] Sorry, got to get this where it can reach me. My name is Susie Scott and I'm

[13:33] here to speak about the library. I attended the first meeting in

[13:37] introduction of the new library trustees and I was pleased to see the slide from

[13:41] the state library of North Carolina which explained that a publicly

[13:46] supported library provides free, equitable and confidential access to

[13:52] information for all people of its community. I hope that the new board

[13:57] will follow that wise policy and support the freedom to read. I also have a

[14:02] comment on the new library ordinance. Since the library board of trustees is

[14:08] the final authority on challenged material, I'm requesting that the

[14:12] ordinance be altered to include at least one out of nine voting members who is a

[14:19] trained librarian. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right,

[14:26] » Judy Saunders.

[14:53] I would like to make a few comments about social security. According to the

[14:58] social security trust fund, it will be depleted in 2034

[15:04] unless Congress decides to act. The retirement age now is 67.

[15:14] As some may or may not know, there is a cap on social security.

[15:21] The wealthy, once they have paid just a little over $100,000 per year, do not

[15:28] pay into social security anymore. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, they don't care

[15:36] about what things cost. They are not interested in anything but themselves

[15:42] and their wealth. I want us to remember that we have got to do something. And if

[15:50] the cap is lifted, then there will be funds there for our children and our

[15:56] grandchildren. If it is not lifted, social security will be depleted. The

[16:03] wealthy are not interested in the cost of food, gas, or health insurance. We

[16:10] are the ones who pay and pay and pay. Thank you.

[16:15] » Thank you, Miss Andre.

[16:19] » All right. Thank all of you tonight for your public comments. And we will move

[16:26] first to approve our consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve consent agenda

[16:30] as adjusted as amended? >> So move.

[16:34] » Have a second. >> Second.

[16:37] » Pick one. >> Go ahead.

[16:39] » Those in favor, let it be known by saying I.

[16:41] » I. >> I oppose. No.

[16:43] » Consent agenda is approved. on our new business.

[16:49] The first item tonight is to consider an economic development incentive request

[16:55] for a savant. Crystal Gettys with the economic development corporation is here

[17:01] to present the case.

[17:06] » Good evening, Chairman Fry, commissioners, county manager. Thank you

[17:10] for having me. Um, I'm here to talk about the what we label at the EDC is

[17:15] the Highway 311 South Site. This is 67.6 acre roughly rail serve site that we've

[17:22] been marketing for, well, it's been available for over 20 years, way before

[17:28] my time. Um, it is owned by Asavant Real Property Co uh Company LLC. I've been

[17:34] before you um previously in in the recent months for uh grants that we have

[17:41] helped with and um and applied for on their behalf to help with utilities that

[17:47] Asavant will be paying for outside the grants. But tonight, the the EDC is

[17:53] requesting a total of $160,000 to be split between the county and the

[17:59] city of Randleman um in the amount of 80,000 each to support access

[18:06] improvements to this site. Currently, um there is no access off of Highway 311

[18:13] and the access point is on the back side of the property through an easement that

[18:18] is not conducive for industrial use or traffic um should we land an industry

[18:24] there. The project supports the the development

[18:28] of this 67.6 acre site for future industrial use by extending water sewer

[18:34] utilities and improving site access from Highway 311. As I mentioned, to include

[18:40] relocation of the current private crossing over Norfick Southern's rail

[18:45] line, we've obtained two North Carolina Railroad grants totaling $1 million, and

[18:52] they've been secured to offset the water, sewer, and access improvement

[18:56] costs with the remaining costs being covered by the property owner. To

[19:01] complete the access improvements, approximately 4.31 acres must be

[19:08] acquired from the adjacent property owner. This is where the current private

[19:13] crossing is located on the adjacent property to this. RCEDC plans to

[19:20] contribute $9,200 from a unused and reallocated Duke

[19:26] Energy grant that was initially for the industrial park across the road from

[19:32] this where Ross uh currently sits. Those funds were uh the remaining funds were

[19:38] to be used for signage for the industrial park. And when Ross came

[19:42] along, we no longer needed that. Duke Energy authorized us to be able to use

[19:47] it across the road. So, we're going to be contributing toward that as well. Um,

[19:52] [clears throat] so once we we use that, um, again, we

[19:57] are requesting $160,000. This is to help with the acquisition and

[20:03] the design and permitting of a relocated private crossing that will be located at

[20:10] a signalized intersection directly across from Wall Brothers Road where

[20:15] Ross entrance is. Um, this will help with our permitting costs. Any excess

[20:20] cost to this will be absorbed by the property owner. Our CEDC, as you know,

[20:27] is charged with supporting existing industries of Randolph County, as well

[20:31] as recruitment of new industry, which grows the tax base of the county and the

[20:35] municipalities where they are located. Having sites that are marketable and

[20:40] include utilities, access, and due diligence is crucial to our efforts in

[20:46] attracting new industry. We at the R RCEDC appreciate your

[20:51] consideration to contribute the requested funds that will in turn help

[20:56] provide a marketable rail serve site for new industry. I am scheduled to uh be on

[21:02] the agenda for the city of Randleman on Tuesday night for their approval of the

[21:07] other $80,000. I am happy to answer any questions.

[21:12] We're excited about this site and we're finally um gaining access to the site

[21:18] will expedite our efforts in starting the construction of the utilities to

[21:23] serve the site. >> And that'll be next Tuesday night for

[21:27] them. >> Yes. Yes, sir.

[21:30] » Anyone have any questions of Crystal?

[21:36] » Thank you. I know in EDC we've we've been hearing about this project for a

[21:40] long time and it's it's good to see it starting to come come to shape for us.

[21:44] It's great. >> Okay,

[21:46] » it's a good start. >> We will now open the public hearing for

[21:51] anyone who wishes to speak to this request. And again, it is um for the

[21:55] county request of $80,000 to be used for the readiness of that site uh on old

[22:03] 311. We will now open the public hearing. Is

[22:06] there anyone here tonight who wishes to speak to this issue for or against

[22:12] either way please come forward Mr. Small and state

[22:18] your name and address please.

[22:23] Lynn Small uh 4807 Walker Mill Road Sophia Chairman Fry Commissioners

[22:31] I have three questions I would like to ask about this 67.6

[22:36] 6 acre site. First of all, has Kevin Franklin, the

[22:41] economic development corporation, the county or asavant marketed this site to

[22:48] any data data center development up to this point.

[22:55] » Crystal, do you want >> No, don't tell us.

[22:59] » Thank you. >> Yeah. Secondly,

[23:02] will the county ever market this site for a data center going forward?

[23:13] » Your third question. >> What's your third question?

[23:16] What's your third question? >> And the third and I'll assume that you

[23:20] will since you won't answer didn't give me an answer. I'll assume that you

[23:24] would. >> We don't we don't

[23:25] » want all of your questions. >> Yeah.

[23:27] » Oh, okay. Okay. Thank you. It's not that we're not answering.

[23:29] » Third, uh if this 1 acre and 3.31 acres are so important to develop this site,

[23:40] why that's the total of the two parcels that you would be getting. Why did our

[23:47] economic development people wait until the parcels were sold on June 10th of

[23:56] this year at exorbitant prices to decide that we need that

[24:05] asant has owned this for years and as [clears throat] was pointed out uh the

[24:11] county has been trying to develop it for years

[24:14] » without the without the without the change in in the rail access. It wasn't

[24:19] marketable. But but but the question was why are you

[24:24] just now deciding that those two two pieces of property

[24:29] uh one acre and 3.31 acres needed to be bought just now after all this time

[24:37] » and they've just been sold to another person company

[24:42] » for an exorbitant fund of >> it's been available it's been available

[24:46] then we just if somebody wanted to take it and hope these things get done. But

[24:53] it's been available. >> The acorage you're speaking of has been

[24:57] discussed for years. >> For years. Well, I know. But my question

[25:00] is, so why did >> Let me finish your answer. I'm trying to

[25:03] answer your question. The property owner, the previous property owner has

[25:06] been talked with for years and years about this and has not wanted to sell.

[25:10] And now that they're gone, the new owners were willing to sell.

[25:14] » You're speaking of the Cranford property, right?

[25:16] » I'm sorry, I didn't hear. You're speaking of the Cranford property.

[25:20] » Yes, that's right. >> He He's been talked to and courted for

[25:24] years, >> but suddenly

[25:26] » Well, we can't we can't make him sell in.

[25:29] » I understand that, but I was just trying to I'm just inquiring why. You know, we

[25:33] let him know. >> It seemed odd that it would get sold. He

[25:36] knows we want it. >> That's what I mean.

[25:39] » He's the one decided to do that. He's a private property owner.

[25:42] » All right. Thank you, Commissioner Fry. U the other thing I would say is ASAT as

[25:49] has been pointed out has been given a million dollars by the railroad for the

[25:54] crossing and it just sold 2.4 acres to Ulus Gas

[26:01] a mile up the highway near me for 215,000.

[26:06] If a savant in my opinion cannot manage 160,000

[26:11] towards making this crossing better, it's not ready to develop this site. To

[26:17] me, asking for additional taxpayer money is just simple corporate greed from a

[26:24] savant. The county should be asking a Savant to

[26:29] reimburse some of the money the county has already spent promoting this site

[26:35] rather than funding another handout. Although this is a minuscule amount of

[26:41] money and I agree with that. It demonstrates what happens when you go

[26:47] down the incentive uh pathway. Everybody then expects a handout from taxpayers.

[26:55] Can we not come up with something that will attract business other than just

[27:01] giving up my taxpayer dollars, my that I hand over to the county every year.

[27:09] I just got through paying 2,900 in property taxes on my 22 acres.

[27:15] That's the same amount that Asavat paid on this 67 will have to pay. I don't

[27:20] think they paid it yet on this 67 and uh.6 acres. So there that property was

[27:27] valued at 6 $6,750 an acre and they valued mine at 9,000

[27:32] right up the road. That's why I get dis that's why I get disquled about property

[27:38] taxes. It's it's not a fair system. I'm paying through the nose and ASA's

[27:44] getting a great deal and then they will get an even better great deal down the

[27:49] road. So, I appreciate your listening. Uh, but I do I did have concerns and do

[27:56] have concerns. I don't want a data center in our area. It's it's bad enough

[28:01] that we have Ross. And by the way, our road, Walker Mill Road that they've been

[28:07] bringing the gravel trucks in for three months is coming apart. DOT was down

[28:12] there p fixing another hole today. I didn't even think they were supposed to

[28:16] be on it. Been hauling gravel on it for three months. Still continuing to fix

[28:21] that parking lot, I guess, for for Ross. If you could get that fixed, I'd

[28:27] appreciate it. >> Thank you, ma'am.

[28:29] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[28:33] Is there anyone else wishes to speak to this request?

[28:38] Hearing none, we will come back to session and um ask for action board

[28:46] action questions.

[28:52] » Are you ready for a motion? >> Yes. Crystal, did you have any you have

[28:56] any other response? The only thing I'll say

[29:00] » come up here.

[29:08] » The only thing that I will add alluding to the data centers is that this is a

[29:12] rail serve site and it's being marketed as a rail serve site. um a data center

[29:17] would not fit that bill and part of the North Carolina railroad grants are to

[29:24] recruit a rail served manufacturing or distribution center.

[29:29] Do you know is this is this already is this already is this already zone heavy

[29:32] industrial we know. >> Yes, this site is zoned into industrial

[29:36] and it has been incorporated into um Brandman's ETJ. It was in their ETJ.

[29:42] It's been incorporated. >> Other questions? Crystal.

[29:48] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[29:50] » All right. What's the pleasure of the board?

[29:54] » That's in my district chairman. So, I'll be glad to make the motion

[30:00] to adopt the resol resolution authorizing the county of Randolph to

[30:05] grant funds to Asavant Real Property Company LLC

[30:10] for industrial site preparation and the associated budget amendment contingent

[30:17] on Randleman approval next week. >> Second motion and a second. Further

[30:22] discussion of the motion hearing none. Those in favor of the

[30:26] motion to approve, let it be known by saying I.

[30:30] » I oppose. No. And [clears throat] it's approved. Thank you. Thank you, Liam.

[30:37] All right. Item B, um, consider the project amendment for Randolph Community

[30:43] College, a U capital project ordinance, the amount of $3 million. Th this is

[30:49] part of a process again that's been going on for several months in

[30:54] discussion with the community college and their needs. We've had public

[30:58] meeting comments here as our board when our two boards met. Um this this will

[31:05] help with a couple projects and Dr. Shaw, I would recognize Chris Yao who's

[31:10] current chairman of Randolph Community College Board and Reynolds Lisk who's

[31:15] immediate past chair is in the audience tonight and thank both of you for your

[31:20] involvement in this. Dr. Shaw, do you want to make a comment?

[31:24] » Yes, sir.

[31:28] » Please add me too to the invited guest list. [laughter]

[31:34] » Good afternoon. Thank you so much for for this honor. It is indeed a pleasure

[31:40] to say hello and to say thank you for considering this item. Uh we made a

[31:46] presentation this this at lunch to all those who have given scholarships to the

[31:52] college and the topic was this is your college. We appreciate everybody coming

[31:58] forward and helping but also the impact that the college has had. So, we

[32:03] appreciate your investment in your community college and we're going to

[32:08] make sure it's going to be put to great use. Seven out of 10 individuals in in

[32:14] Randolph County do not have an associate degree or above.

[32:19] So, that's my job to really change those numbers to at least bring it up to the

[32:24] average of the state and the neighboring counties. So uh again any help we

[32:30] appreciate the the promises that we will put it to great use as for the plan that

[32:35] we presented in detail on uh last March and uh I'll be more than happy to

[32:42] entertain any questions. >> I think this helps you finish the

[32:46] completion of remodeling of a building and 1 million is for deferred

[32:52] maintenance. >> Yes sir.

[32:54] » on the campus and various various other structures.

[32:58] Yes sir. Again we cannot really start as you know for us to start any project we

[33:04] have to show the full funding for it to the to to our board and also to the

[33:10] state. So as soon as you approve now on uh on September 17th our board is going

[33:17] to approve it. It's going to go to the system their their meeting is in

[33:21] October. So they will approve it and that's going to really what is going to

[33:25] kickstart this project and it's going to be going back and forth. The architects,

[33:29] the RFP and all that stuff has to go to the state to be approved. But uh if we

[33:35] cannot show the entire money for it, we cannot we're not authorized to start the

[33:40] project. >> Any any questions of Dr. Shaw?

[33:45] No, I'd just like to say to um any of our citizens that might be listening at

[33:50] home that um I think we all recognize how critical RCC is to this to this

[33:58] county. It drives um economic mobility and it also drives workforce

[34:04] development. So, thank you for the work that's done there and thank you for

[34:09] those that serve on that board of trustees. Yes, it is a blessing to be

[34:13] serving in this capacity. The economic impact for the county last year was 142

[34:20] million and we appreciate that. Again, many

[34:23] thanks to the the board and to our trustee emmerites, Mr. Reynolds list, to

[34:28] to always be here for the college. This is the third time he stood up and his

[34:33] present for the college. So, retirement apparently he doesn't know how to do

[34:38] that. I I would add if some of you might not

[34:42] be aware of such things, but in three out of the last four years, including

[34:48] this current year that we're in right now, Randolph Community College has been

[34:52] selected the number one community college out of 56 55

[34:58] » 58 58 community colleges in North Carolina. It's ranked number one three

[35:04] out of the last four years. >> Yes, sir. Um,

[35:08] it's something to be proud of. And >> yes, our our nursing was uh ranked

[35:12] number three against all colleges, all universities, public and private.

[35:19] » Yes. >> So, we're talking about UNCC Chapel

[35:22] Hill. We're talking about Duke. We're talking about High Point University.

[35:27] So, none of them ranked higher than us as far as nursing. [snorts]

[35:33] And I will I will add the structure of this. It it's not a part of the county

[35:38] budget. We have a capital reserve fund in the county. That is funds that this

[35:44] board sets aside. When we don't fund a project that we

[35:49] thought we were, if we underspend a budget, we keep them. We have a fund

[35:54] balance requirement set by this board. Anything over that goes into our capital

[36:01] reserve fund. So these funds are coming from that capital reserve and not from

[36:08] our regular county budget. >> So that's the reason we're doing it in

[36:13] this process as opposed to when we adopted our budget for 2627.

[36:19] I wanted to make that clarification also.

[36:22] » Yes sir. Back then I almost had a heart attack.

[36:27] But I appreciate I knew this board has been always supportive of the college.

[36:32] The reason this Friday we're going to celebrate our 64th birthday

[36:38] and on campus and you're all invited to come and uh it's because of you. Again,

[36:44] without you this college would not exist is is clear. 64 years.

[36:51] » All right. Any other comments from commissioners?

[36:55] Mr. Chairman, I just want to say we appreciate the board's uh patience there

[37:02] between trying to get the budget passed and understanding if there were going to

[37:05] be recurring funds available or not and then determining

[37:09] maybe there were going to be some partnership opportunities with a state

[37:12] budget and then the state budget passed and there were not. And so we appreciate

[37:16] your patience while we put this opportunity together with

[37:19] » Thank you. reserve >> fun. We we trust our commissioners more

[37:22] than anybody. >> Yes.

[37:24] Yes. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Shaw. Thank

[37:28] you, sir. >> Thank you, Chris Reynolds, Richard.

[37:31] Thank you. >> All right. What's the pleasure of the

[37:34] board?

[37:38] » I'll make I'd be glad to make a motion to approve the RCC capital project

[37:42] ordinance amendment number 19 for $3 million.

[37:46] » Second. >> Motion second by Commissioner Allen.

[37:50] » Yes. Further discussion on the motion? Those in favor, let it be known by

[37:55] saying I. >> I oppose. No. And it is so ordered.

[38:00] Thank you all of you. >> Next item. And I I want all of you to to

[38:07] pay attention to this. Um this is a about a lot of history for

[38:13] Randolph County. And u I'm going to ask U.

[38:19] County Assistant County Manager William Joey Johnson.

[38:25] » Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, thank you. In uh January 2026, the Randolph County

[38:29] Historic Landmark Commission designated the original County Home Cemetery as a

[38:33] local cultural historical site located at present-day intersection of Carowway

[38:38] Mountain Road and Old County Farm Road. The site became the final resting place

[38:42] for 405 Randolph County citizens. Local historian Ricky Alred has researched the

[38:47] site in depth and in 2025 published the book the least of these caring for the

[38:53] poor in Randolph County 1794 to 1922. Mr. Ared has asked to place a monument

[38:59] on the site at his expense to com commemorate the lives of those resting

[39:03] there. Mr. Ared has worked with WY monuments and memorials as well as

[39:08] county engineer Paxton authors to find the best location for the monument. Uh

[39:12] there's a picture of the proposed monument on the screen there. Um if it

[39:15] pleases the board, staff is requesting you approve the proposed memorial and

[39:19] the at the original county home site. >> The site is is accessible out there and

[39:26] it's on our historic site, is it not? >> It is. Yes, sir.

[39:31] » But it's

[39:35] it's called the potter's field in in some areas. But um to have those folks I

[39:44] think only one grave is actually marked. >> That's correct. Yes sir.

[39:47] » Identifiable right now. >> Yes sir.

[39:50] » So 405 of

[39:56] unclaimed bodies

[39:59] are buried in that >> in that cemetery. And

[40:04] this seems a small amount to recognize them. And

[40:11] if there was any family left, which is not likely, but um and on to Mr. Aard

[40:18] for his willingness to to take this on as a project is a special recogniz

[40:24] recognition of him also. So, uh, what we need is approval to, um, place the the

[40:32] more memorial marker on the site. >> Mr. Chairman, before we do that, could

[40:38] we have Mr. Alred to stand? Sure. Because he's here. I stand up, Ricky.

[40:43] This is Ricky Alred. If any of you have ever done any of the um cemetery walks

[40:48] at the historic cemetery in Ashboro, then Ricky's the guy who knows all about

[40:54] all the people buried there, the spooks, you know, whatever. He knows all that.

[40:59] And um he's a fellow Wake Forest graduate. So, uh that makes him a good

[41:05] guy. But I would like to commend him for seeing the value

[41:10] um of this of this property, the value of the way it was used and the value of

[41:16] preserving it and for doing this at his own expense. So, thank you very much,

[41:21] Ricky, for that. And it is um an honor for me to make the motion to approve the

[41:28] proposed memorial at the original county home site.

[41:33] Do >> I have a second?

[41:35] Second. >> Any other comments? And Mr. We do most

[41:40] grateful to you for your research [clears throat] and bringing this to our

[41:45] attention and recognizing those long pass.

[41:49] Any other comments or discussion? Those in favor, let it be known by saying I.

[41:54] [clears throat] >> I.

[41:55] » I. Oppos? No. >> And it is approved. Thank you.

[42:00] Okay, here's another exciting item. Our

[42:04] property revaluation. Deborah Hill.

[42:15] I want y'all to see what she's carrying. >> I promise not to read it off.

[42:24] » Good evening. By North Carolina, General

[42:28] » Never. There you go. >> By North Carolina General Statute

[42:33] 105286, all counties must conduct a reappraisal

[42:37] of all real property at least every eight years. However, counties can

[42:42] decide to advance a reappraisal of the real property if the board of county

[42:46] commissioners adopts a resolution providing an advancement of the

[42:51] reappraisal. The Randolph County, the Randolph County Board of County

[42:57] Commissioners has adopted a four-year reappraisal cycle. The last reappraisal

[43:02] was in 2023. The next reappraisal will be effective January the 1st, 2027.

[43:09] The reappraisal is conducted by the Randolph County Tax Department staff. Uh

[43:15] just some statistics. Uh the there are 28 counties left in the state that are

[43:21] still on a 8-year cycle. Most of those are the small mountain counties or the

[43:27] counties down on the coast. Uh there are 72 counties that are on a shorter cycle.

[43:33] Anywhere from a seven-year cycle to a three-year cycle. The three-year cycle

[43:37] is Wake County. Uh for 2027, there will be over 30 counties in the state that

[43:45] will be having a re uh 2027 reappraisal. Uh that's counting all the 2026

[43:52] uh counties that was postponed till 2027. So they're going to have to go

[43:58] back through it plus the counties that was already scheduled for 2027. So it's

[44:03] going to be a busy time across the state.

[44:06] The uniform schedule of value standards rules used in appraising real property

[44:11] is to reflect the true value in money. That's in other words, market value as

[44:16] defined by the North Carolina General Statute 105283.

[44:20] The tax department appraisal staff has spent much time analyzing sales data,

[44:26] market trends, conducting cost studies, and gathering income information. All of

[44:31] this data was used to develop the proposed 2027 schedule of values.

[44:38] I am presenting uh the schedule of value standards and rules for the 2027

[44:44] countywide reappraisal of all real property for the board's review and

[44:49] approval. And I have attached uh a copy of 105317 which outlines the

[44:55] requirements for adopting the schedule standards and rules.

[45:00] That standard of 317 uh prescribes the uh procedure that the

[45:06] county commissioners must adhere to for the reappraisal process. I have attached

[45:11] a recommended date specific timetable for the counties for the board. The next

[45:18] step is to have a public hearing to give the public an opportunity to comment on

[45:22] the true value and present use schedules, standards, and rules to be

[45:27] used in the 2027 reappraisal. A public hearing must be published stating that

[45:32] these schedule, standards, rules, and have been submitted to the board and

[45:37] that a copy is available for the public inspection in the tax office. I

[45:42] respectfully request that the board set October 5th for the public hearing for

[45:47] the proposed SK schedule, standards, and rules for the 2027 reappraisal.

[45:53] If anybody has any questions, I'll be glad to answer.

[45:56] » Anyone have questions? This is based on

[46:02] property trans transitions.

[46:05] » That's right. The market that's uh it's all based off the the market trends.

[46:10] What the current market is reflecting. We don't

[46:13] make the market, we follow the market.

[46:18] » Anyone have a question?

[46:23] » All right. So, we are approving

[46:30] setting a public hearing is is what what we're Yes. That will be

[46:33] » the next step will be the public hearing and then

[46:35] » October 5th. Yes. A regular October commissioners board meeting.

[46:39] » Yes. Yes. Questions of Deborah?

[46:47] » Hearing none. >> Mr. Chairman, uh, if you're ready for a

[46:50] motion, I'd like to make a motion to set a public hearing for the the proposed

[46:54] true value schedules, standards, and rules and the present use value,

[46:58] standards, and rules for October 5th, 2026 at the meeting starting at 6 PM.

[47:05] Do >> I have a second?

[47:06] » Second. Those

[47:11] um present use values are sometimes referred to as farm deferred.

[47:16] » That is correct. That is correct. And we do adopt them separate so that if

[47:20] there's a challenge to either schedule, it doesn't postpone the other one. One

[47:24] can move forward if the other one is we don't want to hold up one if the other

[47:29] one is challenged. And we also Mr. Allen is very familiar with it because he

[47:34] serves on that uh advisory board. But we do use the adopted schedules provided by

[47:41] the state as our schedules for the open land, forest land, horicultural land. We

[47:47] use the state recommended uh per acre value for that.

[47:53] » I I will say serving on that board, the forestry numbers are very good.

[47:58] Sometimes the cash rents are based on the agricultural lands a little bit

[48:04] tougher and there is some discussion about how to value the farm deferred in

[48:11] a little bit more um fair manner uh throughout the state. So, um, with the

[48:18] emphasis on property taxes that the legislaturator's given, uh, this past

[48:24] year and and they'll be looking at it next year, maybe we can get some funding

[48:28] to do some studies on how to update that.

[48:31] » Okay. Because the cap rates are uh set by the by the state.

[48:37] » Yeah. Yeah. This issue has been at the forefront of our state association and

[48:43] local governments for the last year. Some counties had to that had to reval

[48:50] in 26 had to do them over. Had to redo their budgets.

[48:53] » Yes. And all those will have to be that was notified in 26 will all have to be

[48:59] renotified of their new values in 27. It's been a big job for those counties.

[49:04] It's been a big undertaking rolling those values back and then they'll have

[49:09] to proceed for 27 just like they never had 2026.

[49:14] » But most of that legislation or part of it is to require local governments to

[49:19] adopt what is called revenue neutral. >> Yes.

[49:22] » Our last two have been revenue neutral in Randolph County and our tax rate

[49:28] hadn't changed I think in 15 years. So, we'll be watching that as we go through

[49:35] this process next year. Further questions and discussion.

[49:40] Those in favor of the motion to approve, let it be known by saying I.

[49:44] » I. >> I. No.

[49:47] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[49:48] » Go. >> I shall return.

[49:52] » Okay. Next item is a request from our district attorney

[49:59] Andy Gregson and our sheriff Greg Seabolt

[50:03] concerning an issue I think that concerns us all.

[50:10] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um Andy and I both are very concerned about what we're

[50:16] seeing in our schools, what we're seeing at uh coming out of these vape shops. Um

[50:23] the level of THC that's in these materials that kids are buying, that

[50:28] kids are are smoking. And uh I'd like to introduce you to a youth protection

[50:35] initiative on the use of THC and schedule one substances.

[50:42] Um, have you got it loaded? Okay.

[50:47] We um we have SRO's that have documented over 79 drug violations in the previous

[50:55] school year and EMS handled 63 calls for service so far in 2026 involving

[51:02] patients 18 years of age or younger. And what we're concerned about is the

[51:11] ingredients that are in these products. They're not regulated. Uh you don't know

[51:17] if you're getting 03% or 10%.

[51:24] Um, not only young people, but I had a

[51:28] church couple uh that's 80 years old that was that went by and bought a uh

[51:36] some gummies at a vape shop and they took one, didn't feel any any side

[51:43] effects, took another one, and it put her in the hospital. And um you know,

[51:49] they're good people. They had two daughters that were very concerned about

[51:53] what happened. Couldn't find out what they had taken. Finally found out they

[51:58] stopped by the uh hemp store out here on 64 and bought some stuff for arthritis.

[52:05] So, it it's a concern not only for our youth, but also for uh our general

[52:11] public. They don't know what they're what they're taking and how much they're

[52:15] taking. Um, our detectives have investigated 17

[52:21] reported juvenile overdoses in the previous school year. And most of those

[52:27] overdoses, the common denominator was THC.

[52:33] and gummies, whether it's a vape or gummies

[52:38] or edible um materials,

[52:43] they're putting unknown amounts of THC in these uh products and it's causing a

[52:51] problem. And you, if you notice the products,

[52:56] they look like um packages that would be appealing to the youth. uh

[53:03] very colorful and it looks like candy. As a matter of

[53:08] fact,

[53:11] in reference to the overdoses, we had um it spread throughout Randolph

[53:19] County. Um as far as the schools are concerned,

[53:24] we had several up in the Trinity area, Archdale, Randomman. I talked to a

[53:29] teacher that made a statement if she was not in the bathroom at Randomman

[53:36] there'd be 75% of the females going in vaping and they have to monitor it

[53:43] monitor it very closely. Um we are looking at possibly going into

[53:51] these vape shops. We've got 33 or more throughout Randolph County. And our

[53:59] problem is once we go in, we have to purchase a product. In order to find out

[54:06] what is in that product, we're going to have to send it off and be tested to

[54:12] find out how much THC is in that product. And and I know it's going to

[54:18] vary from product to product and also from item in that package

[54:24] to another item in that package. You may have five or six items in one package

[54:30] with different amounts of THC in those. So, we're going to have to spend some

[54:37] money in order to do our job uh effectively and find out how much THC is

[54:44] in the product. And order to do that, we we've got to know

[54:51] that in order to config these people in court. And I'm going to turn it over to

[54:55] Andy and let him talk a little bit about um what he needs as far as testing. But

[55:04] there's a lot of convenience stores, gas stations that are selling these products

[55:09] uh that well even I think it's called cratom which is uh illegal. It's uh

[55:17] drugstore or gas station heroin. Um you've got uh psilocybin psilocybin

[55:27] which is a mushroom they're selling and um we need to do something about it and

[55:34] hopefully we can be one of the first counties in the state. I know there's

[55:38] couple counties down east uh new handover and Brunswick that are hitting

[55:44] a home run with the way they're enforcing this. So, I'll turn it over to

[55:49] our DA and let him explain some more. >> Thank you, Sheriff M, Mr. Chairman,

[55:55] county commissioners. I I don't stand in front of you unless there is a crisis

[56:00] and we got a crisis. Now, this crisis is not the making of anybody in this room.

[56:06] the the genesis of this program. I'm I'm currently president of the Conference of

[56:11] District Attorneys for the State, and I was asked to go participate in a press

[56:14] conference trying to put pressure on the House of Representatives in North

[56:18] Carolina to pass House Bill 328, which simply outlawed THC products to anyone

[56:25] under 21 and outlawed synthetic hair uh cradle. That's it.

[56:31] It's already been passed in the Senate. All of our legislators supported it and

[56:36] it could not even get out of caucus in the house. So on the way back I was

[56:41] pretty mad and I started calling the sheriff and I started calling some of

[56:45] you and say we need some help. Now the problem is that state law allows whether

[56:50] we like it or not 3% of THC in products. That's because

[56:56] that's the threshold of when it becomes intoxicating.

[57:00] Below that it is not. It's we it's been sold to us as therapeutic. fine up to.3

[57:05] it's legal. The problem is, and this is the elephant in the room, the last two

[57:10] attorney generals, for whatever reason, have not asked for money for the state

[57:15] lab to test these products. So, they have had free reign to sell all

[57:21] kinds of stuff. When we have gone into these places, when law enforcement has

[57:25] gone in, they found products that contain 10 to 20% of THC

[57:30] on the packaging. We've also found that they are selling products with

[57:35] psilocybin in it, which like the sheriff pointed out is not even arguable to be

[57:41] legal. It's a schedule one controlled substance under state and federal law.

[57:46] It is a powerful hallucinogenic that your children can walk into these retail

[57:51] spots and buy and nobody's going to ask any questions. It's in gummies and it's

[57:57] in chocolate. Uh Curry back there can give you the stats. They just seized 168

[58:02] pounds of product with psilocybin in it in the city of Ashboro.

[58:09] 168 pounds. People are charged. I can't say much

[58:14] more about that, but there are more than 50 locations we've identified selling

[58:18] this stuff in this county. I would challenge anybody in this room to tell

[58:22] me how many grocery stores we got and compare that. We've got 51 at least

[58:27] retail places we know of selling this stuff.

[58:31] And we know from the packaging, from the lab reports they have, very little of it

[58:36] is in compliance with the law. Now, the problem is that we can't do everything.

[58:43] But when our children start overdosing, you just heard the numbers. It's worse

[58:47] than that. The day reporting center for juveniles tells me that almost every

[58:52] single juvenile that comes through their doors is addicted to or is abusing THC

[58:56] products, primarily vapes. My prosecutors in juvenile court tell me

[59:02] that almost every single court involved juvenile has a THC problem. You heard

[59:08] about the overdoses. You heard about uh the calls for service just this week at

[59:13] Ashboro on the first day of school. We arrested a student with THC vapes

[59:19] selling it to his colleagues at school. Where'd he get it? He walked into one of

[59:25] these stores and bought it because there is nothing to keep a 13-year-old from

[59:29] buying this stuff. And to make matters worse, some of this

[59:33] stuff doesn't just have THC or psilocybin or something else in it. It

[59:37] has mercury, pesticides, because it's coming from China.

[59:42] Okay? So, the feds are uh working on this with us, state agencies, but the

[59:48] elephant in the room is the last two attorney generals have not done their

[59:52] job. We've had this crisis in this state for many years, and there's not been one

[59:58] single request to increase the state lab funding. I can't do anything about that.

[1:00:03] You can't do anything about it. But we have a chance for us if you will

[1:00:07] graciously allow us some money to test these products. I have uh entered into

[1:00:12] verbal agreements with two certified labs that we can make $100,000 get us

[1:00:18] about 400 tests and it's not it's it's not going to fix the problem but maybe

[1:00:25] it'll put some people on notice to stop selling to kids. I will say that the

[1:00:29] DA's are pressing the legislature to give whether the AG asked for it or not

[1:00:35] to give some money to the lab so they can gear up and test these THC products.

[1:00:40] They are challenging to test because you're talking about small gummies,

[1:00:44] small vapes. It's it's not an easy thing. I get that. But it's been a

[1:00:49] crisis throughout the state. Now, I will say that we don't have a problem that's

[1:00:54] any worse probably than any uh where else. But consistent with the sheriff's

[1:00:58] philosophy and my philosophy, we're just not going to tolerate it. And I've stood

[1:01:02] before you and said that before is you get more of what you tolerate,

[1:01:06] especially from criminals. And so the decision is we going to just look the

[1:01:10] other way and say, "Oh, well, state doesn't test it. We're not going to do

[1:01:13] anything or will you join us and and give us $100,000 that we'll spend. We'll

[1:01:18] invoice the county. You can see all the invoices. It's going to be forensic labs

[1:01:23] so that we can test these products and quite frankly charge and prosecute some

[1:01:29] people. So that's what we're here for. It's a crisis. I'm able to I'm I'm glad

[1:01:34] to answer. I'm sure the sheriff is. um any questions you have, but we're

[1:01:38] working very very closely together. I I appreciate he's he's already dedicated a

[1:01:44] lot of uh resources to it. Uh it's going to stretch us a little bit in the DA's

[1:01:48] office. Um but that's okay. This is worth it because we're primarily

[1:01:52] concerned about the children. So I I'm I'm happy to answer any questions.

[1:01:59] » This testing [clears throat] clear would be used by the sheriff's department as

[1:02:02] well as all our law enforcement agencies in Randolph County. all the

[1:02:06] municipalities working together >> used by our entities that are helping us

[1:02:11] with our undercover operations and um yes it be used for that reason of

[1:02:19] testing.

[1:02:24] » So which is in the weeds a little bit. So specifically you're saying

[1:02:29] Ashboro PD has some stuff that needs to be tested right now. No, [laughter] the

[1:02:33] schedule one, anything that anything that is not schedule six, the state lab

[1:02:37] will test. So you don't have to worry about the psilocyic psilocybin schedule

[1:02:40] one. >> Okay. So that's

[1:02:41] » so that that the state lab that'll go to the state lab. Um what we're talking

[1:02:45] about is specifically THC in gummy, vape, and candy form that the state lab

[1:02:53] does not have the ability to test.

[1:02:58] » If you go ahead, >> do you remember how much it was

[1:03:01] I mean, I was at the presentation, but I've forgotten to There were two

[1:03:06] different prices. It was much higher for testing the gummies than it was for

[1:03:11] testing vapes. >> It It's actually based on what type of

[1:03:15] quantification you want. If it we have found a lab in Raleigh that will do a

[1:03:20] test that tells us it is more than three times the state limit. That is $75 per

[1:03:27] item. There is a state accredited lab and federal accredited lab in Winston

[1:03:32] Salem that will quantify exactly how much of the the item is THC for $263 an

[1:03:40] item. They that also includes litigation expenses. They will send a forensic

[1:03:45] scientist here to testify if we need it. >> And if uh a death if there's a death

[1:03:52] involved in the case, we may want to go that route,

[1:03:55] » you know, through Winston Salem. Um, but we would probably utilize the $75

[1:04:03] price initially much as we can. We want to make the money go far. I will say the

[1:04:09] legislature has told the DAs that they they understand this is a problem with a

[1:04:13] state lab. So, this is not going to be a recurring uh uh request. We hope the

[1:04:17] state lab's going to get the funding they need to test this like every other

[1:04:22] drug they test. And it not not only affects this, it

[1:04:27] affects EMS. It affects these other departments and the families that

[1:04:31] they're working with every day. >> Yes, sir.

[1:04:35] » It's um >> it doesn't know any boundaries. C

[1:04:37] » can I just say that one thing the sheriff said, which is a great point.

[1:04:41] When we talk to the parents in juvenile court,

[1:04:45] they say to us, "Well, h how is this harming my child when he can walk into a

[1:04:50] brightly lit store, >> right,

[1:04:53] » in a strip mall beside Walmart and buy this product? How can it be harmful? How

[1:04:58] can it be illegal? >> They can buy it in sheets."

[1:05:00] » Yeah. >> Yeah. It's because we've not been able

[1:05:04] to test these products and we've allowed the wild west to spring up and people

[1:05:09] have gotten used to making money off of it.

[1:05:12] » So when we and you can't divulge, can't say anything, just say I can't. But when

[1:05:17] we test these products, is this going after the manufacturers, going after the

[1:05:21] sellers selling it here or both? >> Well, I'm a little greedy. I want to go

[1:05:26] after them all. >> Okay, that's good. Do it. But but I mean

[1:05:30] it will be dictated by what we get, how good the buy is, what we seize, what

[1:05:37] records we find. And it and I want to stress, I've already heard from some of

[1:05:40] these vendors that they're running legal businesses. If you're running a legal

[1:05:44] business, you got nothing to worry about. But if you're selling products

[1:05:48] that violate state law, then yeah, I think you probably ought to be a little

[1:05:51] worried if we get the money to test.

[1:05:56] » Can I ask you a quick question? We've spoke a couple of times about the the

[1:05:59] funding and and how it might be achieved and I heard you talk a minute ago about

[1:06:04] all the agencies maybe having the availability to tap into this. Would we

[1:06:09] have a way to centralize the the the the invoices from that come through your

[1:06:12] office and then to us to to pay? >> No, sir. What what will happen when law

[1:06:16] enforcement takes these items to the lab, they will uh invoice whoever you

[1:06:22] tell us to at the county and you will get an official invoice which will show

[1:06:28] the items and the officer requesting it. And I want to point out to you that um

[1:06:33] you know what my hope is is that we get some seizures out of this and we're able

[1:06:37] to replenish the fund. And um I I will say we've gotten buy in not only of

[1:06:43] course from the sheriff but from all of the agencies that every single agency in

[1:06:47] the county including the state agencies who I'm not going to name know that we

[1:06:52] have a problem. We just had a meeting the other day of about 40 stakeholders

[1:06:57] uh uh getting ready for this. >> What we'll have to do is just try to

[1:07:03] monitor that if you all are awarded funding as it's drawn down. I don't want

[1:07:07] one agency to go submit a whole bunch of tests and and other folks don't have

[1:07:11] that opportunity. >> The agencies are working together.

[1:07:15] » Mr. Holden, that's a great point. And the agencies have agreed to a general

[1:07:19] outline of a plan and everybody is on board about how we proceed and how many

[1:07:25] items we seize.

[1:07:31] Well, um you will note on the the motion the

[1:07:38] recommended motion, it refers to the strategic planning funds. Uh, I would

[1:07:43] just point out on our consent agenda tonight, our recent check from um

[1:07:50] um wealth management, I mean from uh waste management is for $357,682.

[1:08:00] That's the second contract we have with them. And that money goes into the um uh

[1:08:07] strategic planning fund. And I think we had about

[1:08:11] close to 300,000 left in there from last year's. But this is the first time we've

[1:08:18] had opportunity to use strategic planning funds in this kind of setting

[1:08:22] or this kind of a issue. >> Yes, sir.

[1:08:26] » Mainly it's been for nonprofits, >> but all the nonprofits are dealing with

[1:08:31] the issue. >> Yes, sir. If I could just say, I think

[1:08:36] um I think that doing this would send a strong message about the value of public

[1:08:43] health in Randolph County, about um the value of our of our youth. I think it

[1:08:52] would send a message to our legislators to hey, get together and let's let's

[1:08:58] raise that age to 21. um and let's monitor these shops.

[1:09:04] Um so, u I think it would send I think it would send a message because I

[1:09:10] certainly know the decisions they make send me messages and so I think we can

[1:09:15] send a message with this. So, if you're ready for a motion, I'll make

[1:09:21] one. But if you want more discussion, I'll be quiet.

[1:09:24] » Well, I I will say um I serve on the Trillium Government Board and and down

[1:09:29] in more uh more in Dair County. uh they have commission there has adopted an

[1:09:37] ordinance regarding cratom uh and the the regulating the the sale of I guess

[1:09:43] they have kind of stepped in and done what the state was looking to do as far

[1:09:48] as goes. Um I don't know that something we would look at that but I don't know

[1:09:53] how I don't know how that's going to be enforceable down there but they have

[1:09:59] they've evidently seen the issue in uh in Dair County and I don't think in Dair

[1:10:03] County necessarily being uh a hotbed for that kind of thing really you think that

[1:10:08] being more vacation destination so >> uh there are other counties are dealing

[1:10:12] with this other than you know >> just us

[1:10:16] » and then taking more more extreme measures

[1:10:20] um to regulate, >> right?

[1:10:26] » Yes. Since I'm on since this is discussed fairly often at state child

[1:10:31] fatality task force, I would like to make the motion. I'd like to make a

[1:10:36] motion uh that we approve the $100,000 request

[1:10:43] for strategic planning funds from the our district attorney and sheriff

[1:10:50] And did you include you did say plan? >> Is there a second to the motion? Second.

[1:10:56] Second. >> We have two seconds.

[1:11:00] » Further discussion funding. Everybody understands what

[1:11:05] we're doing. Those in favor of the motion to approve,

[1:11:09] let it be known by saying I. I. Post. No.

[1:11:14] » Make it work, guys. >> Thank you.

[1:11:16] » Thank you very much. I mean that. Thank you,

[1:11:18] » sir. >> Have at it, guys.

[1:11:23] » Okay. Next is update on our building inspection fees. David, welcome.

[1:11:30] » Good evening, uh, commissioners, chairman. Um,

[1:11:34] on Senate Bill 247, the North Carolina General Assembly has uh implemented a uh

[1:11:41] significant administrative restructuring within the state budget

[1:11:45] which will take effect on uh January 1st, 27.

[1:11:50] This change involves the transfer of all building code administration,

[1:11:54] interpretation functions, appeals, and personnel from the office of state fire

[1:11:58] marshal um and the department of insurance to the newly established

[1:12:03] building codes and interpretations bureau within the department of labor.

[1:12:07] To support this new bureau, legislature has introduced a regulatory fee

[1:12:12] framework for the state building code designated lo local municipal and county

[1:12:18] inspection departments as the primary agents for fee collection.

[1:12:22] This memorandum serves to clarify the procedures for collecting, tracking, and

[1:12:27] remmening specific regulatory fees associated with local building permits.

[1:12:32] These fees are collected on behalf of the state of North Carolina building

[1:12:36] codes and interpretation bureau which is part of the reorganization that transfer

[1:12:41] building code enforcement oversight to the North Carolina Department of Labor.

[1:12:46] This process will not affect the operating budget of local governments um

[1:12:51] as as the uh local inspection departments

[1:12:55] are function solely to collect agents or collect fees for the state. However, it

[1:13:01] will increase the budget. And a sample on the permit fees here is

[1:13:07] like a standard home. Our standard 1,200 foot home is $630.

[1:13:15] The statemandated fee is going to be 25. The electrical building and plumbing

[1:13:20] permits, each one's going to have a $10 fee. So the statemandated fee on

[1:13:28] that total would be $55. A commercial permit is is about the same. $100 for

[1:13:35] the state permit and then $10 for electrical plumbing and mechanical. Now

[1:13:41] the bad thing is like some commercial buildings, you know, we only do like $60

[1:13:46] permit fee. So the state's going to be a $100 fee in addition to that. And same

[1:13:52] with uh um demo permits and stuff like that. Anything related to the building

[1:13:59] code gets these fees. Um so a commercial permit fees 100.

[1:14:05] Residential permit fees are 25 and this is all for general construction permits.

[1:14:10] Mechanical electrical and plumbing is 10. And residential demos and commercial

[1:14:16] demos are 25 and $100 respectively. Um just in July

[1:14:25] we figured up the fees it's going to be 11 $111,000 for the month of July you

[1:14:30] have to submit to the state. So overall it's going to be roughly between 100

[1:14:35] $130,000 in annual uh fees to the state.

[1:14:41] » So is that the state's portion David or is that

[1:14:44] » that's just the state's portion? Hey, we we we do the general uh homeowners

[1:14:49] recovery fund, which is a $1 portion to us and $9 to the state. That's not

[1:14:55] included in this, but this uh fee here goes all of it goes to the state.

[1:15:02] » Do you have the I guess if you're doing that, I guess you got you got the

[1:15:07] capability of through your system just to add these fees so it's not a as bad

[1:15:13] as it could have been. Yeah, we've been working with it. Got it in test now. So,

[1:15:17] we're going to test it out and make sure everything's right and then start it up

[1:15:22] uh January 1st 27.

[1:15:27] » This doesn't require action on our board, but what this is make putting us

[1:15:31] in compliance with the state mandated changes.

[1:15:36] » Yeah. And I know um Joey had said maybe posted on the website the uh fee

[1:15:43] schedule. We just put it out there. You know, they can call the Department of

[1:15:47] Labor, senators, or whoever approved it is are

[1:15:51] » where they need to call. >> If they're not happy.

[1:15:53] » No, >> don't call us. We didn't do it.

[1:15:56] » Are these in effect right now? >> No. January 2.

[1:15:59] » January 1st. [clears throat] >> Yeah.

[1:16:04] » All right. >> Yeah, Mr. Chairman, you hit it on the

[1:16:06] head. There's no action needed on your behalf. We just felt we needed to

[1:16:09] publicly acknowledge that the fees are going up and that we had nothing to do

[1:16:13] with it. >> Right.

[1:16:16] » Any other questions of David? >> Thank you. Appreciate it.

[1:16:22] » Okay. Last agenda item is a proposal for the McGill Engineering for the waterline

[1:16:27] design at 0421 Liberty. >> Good evening. Uh two months ago, I came

[1:16:35] before him and presented a resolution uh which authorized the county manager to

[1:16:39] enter into an interlocal agreement with Liberty uh to enable us to build a water

[1:16:44] line and sell water to Liberty by willing it through Greensboro system.

[1:16:48] You approved that resolution. So, I'm here to take the follow-up steps. Uh

[1:16:52] previously we did a preliminary engineering report with McGill

[1:16:56] Engineering where they pro they looked at the best route for this water line

[1:17:00] and they proposed coming off of uh Greenspurs water tank there at Toyota

[1:17:04] setting a meter vault at an adjacent parcel that the county still owns and

[1:17:08] then going south down Highway 421 to tie into Liberty system. We then did a

[1:17:15] follow-up hydraulic uh study to model that line to make sure that it was

[1:17:20] capable of, you know, filling Liberty's tanks. And it found that it was that it

[1:17:24] was capable of a 12-in line could provide 1 million gallons per day of

[1:17:29] water to Liberty. And it gave a estimated cost of $4.9 million. So we

[1:17:35] now have asked Miguel to give us a actual full design which include the

[1:17:40] planning, the surveying, the permitting and helping us bid and doing

[1:17:44] construction administration. Uh the total cost of this service is $394,000

[1:17:50] and well $500. Uh we also have a budget adjustment tonight of that amount plus

[1:17:56] an additional 5% which brings it to $414,225.

[1:18:02] And with that, I will ask that you approve a contract with McGill

[1:18:05] Engineering for design, bidding, and construction administration of a water

[1:18:09] line along Old 421 at a cost of $494,500 that you authorize the county manager to

[1:18:16] approve the contract and that you uh approve the associated budget

[1:18:21] adjustment. I'll be glad to answer any questions.

[1:18:24] I I'll just make a note to who whoever wants to make the motion that the actual

[1:18:29] amount for the budget amendment is 414,225

[1:18:35] not not the 394 that that's listed that includes the contingency, right?

[1:18:40] » Yes, that's yes, we have a a change order policy which enables authorizes

[1:18:46] the county manager to approve up to 5%. However, if we don't go ahead and and

[1:18:50] fund that, it would sort of defeat the purpose. So

[1:18:53] » we're asking >> is this integrated anyway in what what

[1:18:57] Greensboro's plans are or for the the bigger the bigger

[1:19:02] » project? >> We are working with Liberty and

[1:19:05] Greensboro now Greensboro and Liberty are doing a interlocal agreement you

[1:19:10] know to to wheel that water through their system and and uh and then we're

[1:19:14] doing an interlocal agreement with Liberty to actually sell them our our

[1:19:18] water from the Pedmont Triad Water Authority. Right.

[1:19:23] » You know what Liberty's water usage is now per day? If this is going to give

[1:19:27] them a million dollar a million gallons, what you know how much you're using now?

[1:19:32] » They're using around 250,000 gallons a day.

[1:19:35] » So this plenty of >> Yeah, that gives plenty for future

[1:19:39] » growth. Okay. Commissioner Allen that the also the

[1:19:44] goal the the in intention is to give them a redundant water supply in the

[1:19:48] future and and bring water up 49 um and supply them from the south side with

[1:19:54] primarily water coming through 64 through the southern way and having

[1:19:58] essentially the Greensboro connection simply be an emergency redundant

[1:20:02] connection. What we're doing here is >> an an immediate effort to try to get

[1:20:06] them off of their wells. We saw an issue over the past couple of weekends where

[1:20:10] they've had some failures and and that's really strained their wells and taken to

[1:20:14] the point where they're having to put restrictions on their existing customers

[1:20:18] which certainly doesn't allow future capacity and growth. So, um all of these

[1:20:22] funds are coming from the the state funding that was allocated for

[1:20:26] infrastructure development to try to get our uh municipalities better

[1:20:30] interconnected and and sustainable for long-term growth.

[1:20:36] » Question. Any other questions? What's the pleasure of the board?

[1:20:40] » Mr. Chairman, that's my neck of the woods. Uh, so I'll make a motion to

[1:20:44] approve the contract proposal from McGill Engineering for the design build

[1:20:48] bid and construction administration of waterline along 0421 at a cost of

[1:20:55] $414,225.

[1:20:58] Authorize the county manager to sign a contract and approve the associated

[1:21:01] budget amendment. >> Do I have a second?

[1:21:05] » Second. And I I'll just offer a clarifying thing and I think Paxton

[1:21:09] mentioned it a minute ago, but the contract itself is

[1:21:12] » 395. Okay. Okay. So, we need 3945. >> All right. I'll just my

[1:21:19] » motion. Yep.

[1:21:23] » Further comments, questions. Those in favor, let it be known by

[1:21:27] saying I. >> I oppose. No. And it's approved.

[1:21:32] » Thank you. >> Thank you, Paxton. All right. This

[1:21:35] concludes our posted agenda for tonight. Uh, County Manager, do you have any

[1:21:41] comments or >> Uh, a couple of things I just wanted to

[1:21:44] bring attention to. U, one, thank you for everybody being here on a Tuesday.

[1:21:48] This worked out really well. I know staff prefers coming in on a Tuesday

[1:21:51] night after a Monday, not a Tuesday night after a Labor Day. Um,

[1:21:57] well done. I don't know that the calendar is going to set up perfectly

[1:22:00] for us to do this all the time, but it worked out really well this year and we

[1:22:03] appreciate it. Um, I wanted to mention I've had a couple of

[1:22:08] folks ask me about when the upcoming chamber retreat would be. The Ashran

[1:22:13] Chamber doesn't do their traditional retreat to Myrtle Beach like they did in

[1:22:16] the past. They now do a a chamber chair celebration and so that is coming up in

[1:22:21] October. Um, this is the hundth year of the Ashan Chamber and so they're doing

[1:22:26] two events. One on October 15th which is a Thursday evening that'll be at AVS. I

[1:22:32] I'll get details to the commissioner so Hopewood doesn't have to write them all

[1:22:36] down right now. Um and then the following day, the 15th at the A Center,

[1:22:40] we'll have an the the actual kind of retreat day, which will be the the um

[1:22:47] the chamber chair celebration is what they call it now. It's a little harder

[1:22:51] than retreat. Sorry. Um but I'll get details to you all. I just wanted to

[1:22:55] give you a heads up that that's coming because I have had a couple of questions

[1:22:58] about upcoming opportunities to interact with the chamber. That's it.

[1:23:03] Commissioners updates. [clears throat] I would um we had our

[1:23:09] annual state conference in Durham County a couple weeks ago and Commissioner

[1:23:13] Allen was um duty elected by the body to second vice president of state

[1:23:20] association which will put him in line to be the president in about four years.

[1:23:25] So >> if I can get two two more two more

[1:23:28] elections. Yeah. So just make that any other one. [applause]

[1:23:37] » Any other commissioners have anything? >> I just also like to point out again that

[1:23:41] our wellness team uh presented what how we got to the place that we have the

[1:23:47] program that we have now. So they they presented Sam Barner and Ashley Dugens

[1:23:53] and uh Christy Wallace. So they did a a great job. represented Randolph County

[1:23:58] really well. And then our um Randolph County opioid settlement technical

[1:24:05] assistance team won a civic award. A few of those were given out across our state

[1:24:13] and so they were recognized for the outstanding work they've done. Uh

[1:24:17] Michael over here has been part of that team. So, um, so we have those two and

[1:24:23] then we had, um, our chairman in one of the sessions helping, you know, on a

[1:24:29] panel. And so, I just felt proud of Randolph County. And hope was on our

[1:24:35] initiative, which was the our our I call it our urgent care facility for county

[1:24:40] employees. That's really playing [clears throat] great dividends. And we

[1:24:45] got a lot of feedback on that. I wish I told our director if we'd had a little

[1:24:50] more publicity, I think more of the counties would have been interested in

[1:24:53] what what was discussed at that uh at that session. But overall, it was a good

[1:24:58] session and um well attended. I think originally had 89 of 100 counties that

[1:25:04] were registered for that event. >> Some of the feedback I got from people

[1:25:10] that were not in the session was they knew their county couldn't afford it.

[1:25:16] So, so why come into that session and it's like how can you

[1:25:21] » how can you not afford it? If you look at the level at which we've been able to

[1:25:26] ensure our employees and how much we've saved by doing that, it has more

[1:25:32] uh far more than paid for the program. So, um so maybe there'll be counties

[1:25:39] that will look into it, implement some parts of it. Uh we didn't get where we

[1:25:44] are overnight. Um, it's taken some developments. So, so we'll see.

[1:25:50] » All right. Any other comments? Do I have a motion to adjurnn?

[1:25:54] » Move. >> We are ajourned. Thank all of you. Be

[1:25:58] safe. Thank you again for your participation.

[1:26:13] » They've already had guys.

Randolph County Board of Commissioners - September 1st, 2026

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